Would anyone take beating hull go to Wembley and lose or be humiliated by saints..same in the play offs reach old Trafford and lose again..I know its all its and may be but to keep losing finals is just papering over the cracks with the players we have at the moment

In 1990 I went to Wembley as a spotty 14 year old with the hope that on any give day we could beat Wigan. Almost 30years later there is still part of me that with a prevailing wind, bounce of the ball, we get the 50/50 calls and if Walmsley gets sent off for a Morley style hit straight from kick off then we may be able to do it.
But those 30 years have given me a little bit of realism. In 2009,10 and 12 we had far more about us as a team. I am quite happy to let Saints and Hull play the CC out but would hope to get to GF and pray for the first major storm of the Autumn and hang my hopes on saints being undercooked after playing 1 game in a month and have put the cue on the rack after lifting the CC.

A couple of months ago on here there were threads about how Saints "weren't all that" and for years we've been mocking them for always losing in finals and semis.

Are we saying now that we don't want to make Wembley in case we lose to them?

You do realise that if we try to get to Old Trafford, Saints are likely to be waiting there too?

Maybe we should play it safe and aim for 6th spot.

The aim of the game is to make finals. Sometimes you win one...but you win jack getting beaten in a semi final and it hurts like hell.
It doesn't hurt so bad at Wembley in defeat when you've had a great day....and you cannot enjoy the highs without some lows.
As a fan at Wembley winner or loser, being respectful to the opposition is class.

Whats every1s thoughts on Ratchford being fit for it? Im hearing he will be risked. For me, i would even chance it if theres any chance of a relapse and we dont see him for the rest of the season.....hell of a big risk for the sake of a big day out.

Wed be better getting him fit and trying to rescue the season at play off time

Sp picks the team and fb he'd play but I agree with rd and play him at HB along side Austin I've stuck up for young DInEC but its stale ATM...for me its mamo josh Goodwin Toby lineham Austin Stephen coops daz hilly Bennie Hughes brown sub's Davis Currie DEC bmm..if all fit..brown at loose gives us a ball playing forward

Line him up...give the opposition something to think about.

No, sorry, not this at all.

It’s horrible enough losing to them in league games, their vile fans would show no grace in victory whatsoever, just because it’s Wembley won’t make it hurt less, make me less angry or suddenly make them stop their horrible sarcastic chants. It would be an horrible day out with a horrible trudge home. Last year was bad enough with every neutral in the stadium cheering on Catalans, willing us to live up to the wan-kee chant.

Finals hurt more.

I’m not saying I want us to lose in semis, I’m saying if we get to finals, make sure we WIN the loving thing!

Side note: does anyone else find the general atmos at Old Trafford to be far more oppressive and aggressive than Wembley? Maybe because it’s Saturday and fans have had all day to drink, but each time, I’ve been party to nasty run ins when leaving the ground and the whole vibe feels less cheerful and welcoming than Wembley.

There's one thing worse than losing at Wembley and thats never losing at Wembley...
Offer that chance to lose at Wembley to Halifax now... they'll rightly snap your hand off!

One reason a GF loss hurts so much is because it's the last game of the season. Consequently, the pain lasts for 4 months rather just a week.

I'd rather we get to a final and lose it than not get there in the first place. You can't win it if you aren't in it. I'd rather have the chance over watching as a neutral every time.

Side note: does anyone else find the general atmos at Old Trafford to be far more oppressive and aggressive than Wembley? Maybe because it’s Saturday and fans have had all day to drink, but each time, I’ve been party to nasty run ins when leaving the ground and the whole vibe feels less cheerful and welcoming than Wembley.

Yes, me. I have been following the Wire for 40 years and did several seasons of away travel in the 1980's & 90's, but I have never felt as uncomfortable as I have done at Old Trafford on GF night. I will definitely not be going back again, however good a team we put together one day (fingers crossed)